Deformable rail



Oct. 7, 1969 H, J. JEFFERYS 3,471,128

DEFORMABLE RAIL Filed Ma-ICh 29, 1968 '-35 54 '33 y mvgmok. 33A HENRY J. JEFFERYS y *44 BY Ph- H IS ATTORNEYS United States Patent ABSTRACT or THE- DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates lto a longitudinally deformable substantially U-shaped rail which has ay transverse leg defining the bight thereof and a pair of outwardly extending legs extending from thevopposite ends of the transverse leg wherein the transverse leg has an integral reduced thickness arcuate strip extending longitudinally therealong which is adapted to be deformed without materially weakening such rail by urging the outwardly extending legs of the rail toward each other.

Cross reference to related application This application is related to application, Ser. No. 642,802, filed June 1, 1967.

Background of the invention Various metal rails, such as handrails, have been previously proposed for use with associated structural members comprising an associated railing assembly. However, many of such previously proposed handrails are generally comparatively expensive to produce and install or must be used together with specially formed adjoining structural members.

Summary This invention provides an improved metallic rail of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and an improved railing assembly utilizing such a rail wherein a transverse leg defining the bight of the U-shaped rail has a longitudinal strip provided as an integral part thereof which extends in an outwardly convex arch as viewed in cross section. The longitudinal strip is adapted to be deformed in a sharper arch during installation of the rail in an associated railing assembly while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the rail.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawing proceeds.

Brief description of the drawing The accompanying drawing shows a present preferred embodiment of this invention, in which FIGURE l is a view in elevation with parts in section and parts broken away, illustrating an exemplary railing assembly utilizing the substantially U-.shaped rail of this invention as the top rail thereofgl FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional View of the U-shaped top rail of the railing assembly of FIGURE 1 and an associated picket looking toward the end post of the railing assembly and prior to urging the outwardly extending legs of such U-shaped rail toward each other to fasten it to such picket by longitudinally deforming a reduced thickness strip provided in its transverse leg and deforming oppositely arranged ribs provided in the rail against the associated picket;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view on a line 3--3 of FIGURE 1, with the top rail fastened in position against the associated pickets;

`FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the central portion of the transverse leg comprising the UTshaped top rail of vFIGURE l illustrating the reduced thickness longitudinal strip provided as an integral part of the transverse 4leg and particularly illustrating the out- .ward arch provided therein; l t

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 after the outwardly extending legs of the U-shaped rail has been urged toward each other and particularly showing the sharper arch defined in longitudinal strip; ,I

FIGURE 6 is aview on th line 6T6 vof FIGURE 3; and n FIGURE 7 is a'perspective View illustrating the improved substantially U-shaped rail comprising the railing assembly of FIGUERE 1 being formed by extruding through an associated die means wherein only a fragmentary forward portion of such die means is shown.

Description of illustrated embodiment Reference isy now madero FIGURE 1 of the drawing wherein an exemplary railing assembly designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is illustrated. The exemplary railing assembly 10 comprises a suitable vertical member or post 11 fixed in position in any desired manner, a pair of horizontally extending rails 12 and 13 provided at the top and bottom respectively of the railing assembly 10, and a plurality of vertically extending pickets each designated by the same reference numeral 14 suitably fastened between the horizontally extending rails 12 and 13.

The rail 13 may be substantially similar in cross-sectional configuration to the rail 12 and may |be fastened to the post 11 in a similar manner as rail 12. In addition, the rails 12 and 13 may be similarly fastened in position against associated pickets 14.

A detailed description of the horizontal rail 12 will now be made in connection with FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawing. The rail 12 has a substantially U-shalped crosssectional configuration and comprises a transverse leg 17 defining the bight of the U-shaped rail 12 and a pair of outwardly extending legs extending from the opposite ends of the transverse leg 17 and each of the outwardly extending legs is designated by the same reference numeral 20.

The transverse leg 17 has an integral longitudinal strip 21 which extends in an outward arch or crown as viewed in cross section. In this example of the invention the longitudinal strip 21 defines the central portion of the transverse leg 17.

The rail 12 is adapted to be installed in the railing assembly 10 by placing the pickets 14 so that the upper end portion 25 of each picket 14 extends between the parallel legs 20 of such rail. The legs 20 are then urged toward each other which causes a deformation of the elongated strip 21 causing it to be deformed from the arched configuration as shown at 26 in FIGURE 2 to the more abrupt or sharper arched configuration shown at 27 in FIGURE 3.

The construction of rail 12 is such that in urging the legs 20 toward each other to cause deformation of the elongated strip 21 the overall structural integrity of the rail is maintained and without materially weakening of the elongated strip 21. This result is obtained because of the substantially long bridge or crown defined by the outwardly arched strip 21. In effect, the long bridge pro-I vides a longer length so that the outermost fibers of the strip 21 have more chance to move without likelihood of fracture.

As will be apparent from the drawing, the transverse leg 17 is comparatively thick, as seen at 30, substantially across its full length. However, the longitudinal strip 21 hasa thickness indicated at 31 which is substantially less vthan 'the thickness 30 of the transverse leg 17. This reduced thickness of the longitudinal strip 21 enables the elongated rail 12 to be more easily deformed from the configuration shown in FIGURE 2 to the configuration illustrated-in FIGURE 3 of the drawing. However, it Will be appreciated that in some applications of this invention it may be desirable to provide a rail similar to rail 12 wherein the elongated strip 21 provided along the central portion f the transverse leg 17 may have a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the remainder vof the transverse leg portion, if desired.

' `Once the rail 12 is deformed from the configuration of FIGURE 2 to the configuration illustrated in FIG- URE 3 in a clamping manner around a plurality of associated pickets 14 it is suitably fastened in position -to the post 11 utilizing a plurality of screws such as 'selftapping metal screws each designated by the same reference` numeral 33. Each screw 33 extends through an downwardly concave surface 40 which defines the lower I surface of the elongated outwardly arched strip 21 whereby the elongated strip 21 has a substantially convexoconcave cross-sectional configuration. Further, it will be seen that such convexo-concave configuration is maintained before and after deformation of the outwardly extending legs 20 from the position shown in FIGURE 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 3.

The outer portion of the groove 36 is defined by a pair of outwardly diverging substantially planar surfaces each designated by the same reference numeral 42 and upon urging the outwardly extending legs 20 toward each other to assume the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 3 the substantially planar surfaces 42 are positioned in approximately parallel relation. In addition, the configuration of the groove 36 and in particular the manner of forming the surfaces 42 is such that in the event the legs 20 are urged too far inwardly toward each other the surfaces 42 abut each other and prevent damage to the elongated strip 21. Thus, it will be appreciated that in the event undersized pickets 14 are utilized or the rail 12 Ais utilized in an application where vertical pickets are not used, the construction and arrangement of the transverse leg and the arrangement of the surfaces 42 is such that the structural integrity of the elongated strip 21 and rail 12 is assured.

The rail 12 has a pair of substantially identical integral arms each designated by the same reference numeral 44 and each arm extends inwardly from the terminal outer end of an associated leg 20 and the arms 44 are arranged so that they extend toward each other. Each arm 44 has an inwardly, i.e., upwardly, deformable rib 45 extending from the terminal end thereof.

In this example of the invention, the two ribs 45 are shown as having equal lengths and their associated arms 44 are also of equal lengths. 1n addition, the total length of the arms 44 and the ribs 45 is shown as being approximately equal the length of the transverse leg portion 17. Thus, it will be seen that upon deforming the outwardly extending legs 20 toward each other the terminal ends 46 thereof at locations between the pickets 14 are arranged immediately adjacent each other and the exemplary rail 12 with its arms 44 and ribs 45 has a substantially rectangular outline as viewed in cross section, see FIG- URE 3. However, it is to be understood that the crosssectional outline of rail 12 and its associated arms and ribsmay be any desired configuration including, for

example, D-shaped, trapezoidal, square, or any other desired shape While still providing a longitudinal strip similar to strip 21. Further, the deformable ribs for each crosssectional configuration may also be constructed and arranged so that their terminal ends approach each other to provide a better appearance (as will be explained in more detail subsequently) upon deforming `an associated railin position in a railing assembly. Also, in many applications it may be desirable' to provide the rail of this invention with-the ribs 45 substantiallyeliminated.

The rail 12 also has apair of integral wedge shaped teeth' each designated by the reference numeral 50 and each tooth 50 extends inwardly from the terminal end of an associated arm 44 and is arranged immediately adjacent to and beneath an associated rib 45. Each tooth 50 is adapted to bite into an associated structural member such as an associated picket 14 as shown at 52 uponfurging the outwardly extending legs 20 toward'each other.

The rail 12 also has a pair of cooperating integral flanges 53l and 54 provided therein adjacent the junction of each arm 44 with an associated leg 20. The flange 53 extends from leg 20' while flanges 54 extends from arm 44 and the flanges 53 and 54 cooperate with portions of leg 20` and arm 44 to define the previously -mentioned screw-receiving opening 33A lutilized to fasten to rail 12 to the post 11. Although the integral flanges 53 and 54 may have any desired configuration, in this exemplary embodiment of the invention the flanges 53 and 54 have. an arcuate configuration and extend toward each other.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 6` ofthe drawing the configuration and arrangement of the ribs 45 is such that they are easily deformed around an associated picket 14 so that a portion of each rib 45 having a width equal to the width of an associated picket 14 is sheared and deformed inwardly and upwardly toward the transverse leg 17 as indicated at 55. In this example of the invention the portion of each rib 45 between pickets 14 is positioned with its terminal end 46 immediately adjacent the terimnal end of an oppositely arranged rib to, in effect, provide an approximately continuous surface as indicated at 60 along the lower central portion of the rail 12 between pickets 14 and between the post 11 and an adjacent picket 14 and such approximately continuous surface thus assures the associated railing has a pleasing appearance.

The elongated substantially U-shaped rail 12 may be formed in any suitable manner; however, it is preferably formed by extruding an elongated section thereof also designated by the reference numeral 12 through an associated extrusion die 612 and only the front portion of such die is shown in FIGURE 7. The die 62 has a suitable opening 63 provided therein and the opening 63 has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the desired open or undeformed cross-sectional configuration of the rail 12.

The improved rail 12 may be formed of any suitable material; however, in one application of this invention 6063-T5 aluminum alloy has been used successfully.

Thus, it is seen that the improved rail 12 of this iuvention is formed economically and may be deformed in position against a plurality of associated pickets 14 without weakening the structural integrity thereof. Further, the installation of the rail 12 may be achieved with utmost simplicity inasmuch as it is only necessary to space and hold the pickets 14 at desired intervals and then urge the legs 20 of rail 12 in a clamping manner around the upper end portion of such pickets. Further, the location of the openings 34 provided in an associated flange portion 35 of the post 11 may be pre-drilled so that it is merely necessary to insert the self-tapping screws 33 through the openings 34 in the fiange portion 35 of post 11 and into engagement with associated surface portions of rail 12 defining openings 33A.

The substnatially U-shaped rail 12 has the substantially convexo-concave deformable elongated strip 21 provided centrally along its transverse leg 17 which is not. structurally impaired vupon deforming the-railfzlZ in position in an associated railing assembly. The rail 12 also has improved holding action provided byv dualactionofthe .ribs 45 and teeth 50 which is, in effect, a frictional holding action provided by the upwardly sheared portionsof the ribs 45 and a biting or indentation provided byfthe teeth50 to assure that the ri-bs 14 are heldin position. relative to the horizontal rail 12. In addition, once a portionof each rib 4S havinga width equal-to the width of-an associated picket is sheared so that it extends upwardly towardtransverse leg-17, asV previously. explained,` the substantially horizontally extending sheared edges vof'each` rib defined upon shearing such portion-upwardly serve to confine the associated picket to preventr movement thereof along the rail-12. f,

While al present exemplaryernbodiment of this invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be recognized that this invention may lbe yotherwise variously embodied and practiced.

What is claimedzis:

1. A longitudinally deformable substantially U-shaped rail comprising a transverse leg defining the bight'thereof and a pair of outwardly extending legs extending from the opposite ends of said transverse leg, Asaid-transverse leg having an integral longitudinal strip which has-a lesser thickness than the thickness of said transverse leg, said longitudinal strip extending in -an outward arch as viewed in cross section andl said U-shaped rail being adapted to be installed in a railing assembly-by moving its outwardly extending legs toward each other which causes said strip to be deformed in a sharper arch while maintaining the overall structural integrity of said rail.

2. A rail as set forth in claim 1 in which said transverse leg has a longitudinal keyhole-shaped groove provided therein which defines said longitudinal strip, said groove extending inwardly from the lower surface of saidltransverse leg and the bottom of said groove is defined by a downwardly concave surface which defines the lower surface of said lesser thickness elongated. strip, said strip having a substantially convexo-concave cross-sectional configuration before and after deformation thereof by moving said outwardly extending llegs toward eachother.

3. A rail as set forth inclaim 2 in which the outer portion of said groove is defined by a pair of outwardly diverging planar surfaces which are positioned in approximately parallel relation upon moving said legs toward each other said planar surfaces being arranged in said transverse leg to limit the movement of said outwardly extending legs toward each other and thereby assure the structural integrity of said elongated strip and rail is maintained.

4. A rail as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of integral Varms each extending inwardly from the terminal end of an associated leg toward the other arm and a rib extending inwardly from the terminal end of each arm, and upon deforming said strip yand moving said outwardly extending legs toward each other the terminal ends of said ribs are normally arranged immedintely adjacent each other to define an approximately continuous bottom surface for said rail.

5. A rail as set forth in claim 4 further comprising two pairs of integral anges extending inwardly therefrom with each pair of flanges being provided adjacent the junction of each arm with an associated leg and cooperating therewith to define a screw-receiving opening for fastening said rail to an associated structure.

6. In combination: a longitudinally deformable substantially U-shaped rail and a plurality of vertical pickets, said U-shaped rail comprising a transverse leg defining the bight thereof and a pair of outwardly extending legs extending from the opposite ends of said transverse leg, said transverse leg having an integral longitudinal strip which has a lesser thickness than the thickness of said transverse leg, said longitudinal strip extending in an outward arch as .viewed in cross section and said U-shaped rail being fastened in position against associated end portions of said pickets by moving its outwardly extending legs toward each other which causes said strip to be deformed in a sharper arch While maintaining the overall structural integrity of said rail and causes portions Aof saidrail to be clamped against said end portions to define vpart of a railing assembly.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said transverse leg has a longitudinal keyhole-shaped groove provided therein which defines said longitudinal strip, said groove extending inwardly from the lower surface of said transverse leg and the bottom of said groove is defined by a downwardly concave surface which defines the lower surface of said ylesser thickness elongated strip, said strip having a substantially convexo-concave cross-sectional configuration before `and after deformation thereof by moving said outwardly extending legs toward each other.

8. A combination asset forth in claim 6 in which said rail comprises a metal handrail defining the top rail of said railing assembly, said pickets comprise metal pickets arranged vertically in spaced apart relation, said transverse leg has a longitudinal keyhole-shaped groove provided therein which defines said longitudinal strip, said groove extending inwardly from the lower surface of said transverse leg with the bottom of said groove being defined by a downwardly concave surface which defines the lower surface of said lesser thickness elongated strip, said strip having a substantially convexe-concave crosssectional configuration before and after deformation thereof by moving said outwardly extending legs toward each other, and the outer portion of said groove is defined by a pair of outwardly diverging planar surfaces which are positioned in approximately parallel relation upon moving said legs toward each other, said planar surfaces being arranged in said transverse leg to limit the movement of said outwardly extending legs toward each other and thereby assure the structural integrity of said elongated strip and rail is maintained.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said rail comprises a handrail and further comprises a pair of integral arms each extending inwardly from the terminal end of an associated leg of said handrail toward the other arm and an inwardly deformable rib extending inwardly from the terminal end of each arm, and upon deforming said strip and moving said outwardly extending legs toward each other portions of each rib having widths corresponding to the Widths of associated pickets engage such pickets and are sheared so that they extend upwardly along their associated pickets and other portions of said ribs at locations between said pickets are positioned so that their terminal ends are positioned irnmediately adjacent each other to define an approximately continuous bottom surface for said handrail between pickets, said shearing of said first named portions of said ribs defining substantially horizontally extending sheared edges with each opposed pair of sheared edges serving to confine the associated picket to prevent movement thereof along said handrail.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which said rail further comprises a wedge-shaped tooth extending inwardly from the terminal end of each arm and being arranged beneath an associated rib provided therein, each tooth being driven into an associated picket upon moving said outwardly extending legs toward each other and shearing of said other portions of said ribs upwardly, each tooth further assuring its associated picket is held firmly in position -against said rail.

y11. A combination as set forth in claim 9 in which said rail further comprises two pairs of integral flanges extending inwardly therefrom with each pair of flanges being provided adjacent the junction of each arm with an Vassociated leg and cooperating therewith to dene a 7 8, screw-receiving opening `for fastening sadail to an as- 3,125,192 3/ 1964 (Ramseur- 52-482 X sociated structure. -v I 3,207,479 9/ 1965 Ta1mage et al. 256-65 References Cited A 3,420,504 1/1969V Muli-tz 2.56-22 UNITED STATES PATENTS DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner 1,951,811 3/1934 schaffen. v 5 1 g n 2,427,723v 9/ 1947 Hawkins et al. 256-22 x U.S. C1.X.R.

2,431,546 11./1947 Edwards 25e-22 256,-59 

